Yarn Bowl in Carbon Painting

Our handmade clay yarn bowls are individually decorated which makes each a unique item. Even though we carefully fire each piece in the same manner, variation occurs and gives unique qualities to the piece.

Before the pieces is fired, colorants are brushed on using a technique taught to Jim by my mother, Beth. My Mom was an accomplished Tole and decorative painter. Each piece is a different look, with no two pieces alike as shown in the photo.

These bowls are decorated with Carbon Painting, a technique that uses feathers, horsehair and sugar to product carbon markings, either shaped like feathers, the well known squiggles of horsehair or blushes of smoke from sugar. On a day when we're firing carbon works, the kiln yard is filled with the aroma of burning hair and the air is swirling with steam and smoke...the roar of the kiln changes with each opening of the kiln door.

These are the only size we regularly make. They were designed for use with fibers of all types, whether it is in a cake form or a ball.

Folks ask me how I got started making these bowls. I don't knit or crochet. That said, I have a partner, my wife Brenda, who does enough knitting for the both of us (although I can always use another pair of wool socks). One of our good friends in Brenda's knitting group asked if I could make one...that started me down the path of fiber related products.

Because of the knitting group and their comments and suggestions, LickinFlames makes yarn bowls with fiber in mind. We completely understand the importance of a well crafted and detailed bowl. We also understand that fiber folks really do appreciate nice looking objects and we strive to make our bowls both fully functional and "easy on the eye."

The colors and iridescence on the pieces are hallmarks of LickinFlames. The yarn bowl takes several weeks to dry and then the finishing can take place. When the bowls are removed from the kiln, decorated and cooled, each is washed, dried and cork bumpers are added to the foot to protect your fine furniture. Approx. 6 x 4 inches

To read more about the carbon painting techniques used to make these pieces click here.